Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of how much agricultural producers receive annually under the Common Agricultural Policy.

Ross Finnie: Agricultural producers in Scotland have received the following total payments from Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) schemes in recent years:

  1998 - £437,907,505

  1999 - £380,338,303

  2000 - £392,014,526

  2001 - £298,877,944 (part figure - payments for the 2001 schemes still being made)

  The above figures cover the main agricultural schemes in the Integrated Administration and Control System. They do not include payments made under the agri-environment and forestry grant schemes or the effects of indirect market support measures under the CAP.

Agriculture

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy insofar as any such reform relates to costs to consumers.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is engaged in preliminary discussions with the UK Government on the full range of issues arising from the Common Agricultural Policy. Proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy are not expected to emerge from the European Commission until June. When we know what is proposed, there will be an assessment of the potential effect on consumers, taxpayers, farmers, rural communities and any other groups which might be affected.

Agriculture

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed in the administration of the Farm Business Development (Scotland) Scheme 2001 in each area office of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

Mr Andy Kerr: No staff are being employed solely and directly to administer the Farm Business Development (Scotland) Scheme 2001 in the non-Highlands and Islands area offices.

Communities Scotland

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the priorities of Communities Scotland are in respect of rural areas.

Iain Gray: I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland is guided by the rural policies and priorities of Scottish ministers, with a view to improving the quality of life for those resident in rural Scotland by fostering sustainable and healthy communities that are attractive, vibrant and safe.

Debt Management

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the question S1W-22872 by Iain Gray on 22 February 2002, how it will ensure that the providers of money advice funded by the additional £3 million will be independent of local authorities, given any potential conflict of interest arising from the role of such authorities as creditors for rent and council tax arrears.

Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive is working with the advice sector to promote agreed standards for money advice, including independence, training and quality assurance.

Drug Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the limits are of naloxone treatment in respect of methadone overdose and what steps have been made to make doctors and paramedics aware of these as referred to in the National Confidential Inquiry into Methadone Related Deaths (Scotland) 2000 .

Dr Richard Simpson: Naloxone is a very effective drug and can be life saving when used to reverse the effects of any opiate-induced respiratory depression, or overdose with opiates. Naloxone should only be given where an overdose is suspected, and is usually administered initially by intravenous injection (0.8-2 mgs) which can be repeated at intervals of two to three minutes to a maximum of 10 mgs. If at that stage there is no response, then the problem is unlikely to be related to opiate overdose. If the patient responds, then naloxone can continue to be given for as long as required to allow the effects of the opiate to wear off.

  The effectiveness and limits of naloxone treatment should be well known to all doctors, in particular those in Accident and Emergency Departments and other doctors dealing with emergency situations. I understand that paramedics are allowed to carry and administer naloxone, subject to protocols developed by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Drug Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that all new patients starting on methadone have sufficient education in regard to the medical implications of using the drug and the penalties imposed for diverting the drug to others as referred to in the National Confidential Inquiry into Methadone Related Deaths (Scotland) 2000 .

Dr Richard Simpson: There is general guidance in Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management on the procedures which doctors should go through before prescribing methadone. In light of the patient's motivation and expectations, the doctor will set mutually agreed and realistic goals covering what methadone treatment will mean for the individual concerned.

  Many doctors provide new patients starting on methadone with a copy of The Methadone Handbook, which sets out for those undergoing this treatment the effects of the drug, and the penalties for unlawful possession and supply.

Energy Efficiency

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for, and what progress it is making in, the installation of energy efficient measures in homes.

Iain Gray: In the Programme for Government, published in September 1999, the Scottish Executive gave a commitment to tackle damp and cold houses by improving 100,000 houses suffering from dampness and condensation under the Warm Deal by 2003. More than 130,000 houses have already been improved.

Enterprise

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much each local authority has loaned to local enterprise companies (LECs) in each year since the establishment of LECs.

Ms Wendy Alexander: This is an operational matter for the enterprise networks. The Executive does not hold this information centrally.

Enterprise

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which business support schemes offered through the enterprise network are not available in the Grampian area because the region does not have assisted area status.

Ms Wendy Alexander: There are two main schemes which companies in Grampian cannot apply for due to the fact that Grampian is not an assisted area. These are Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) and Invest for Growth. Both these schemes are however operated by the Scottish Executive rather than Scottish Enterprise, as a result of the review of RSA. However, the wider measures that I announced in February, including a £20 million venture capital "fund of funds" and more support for commercialisation, will benefit firms across Scotland, including those in Grampian.

  The impact of assisted area status on Scottish Enterprise's activity is more in terms of the rate/level of grant which can be offered to companies depending on whether they are located within an assisted or non-assisted area. The intervention rate under certain Scottish Enterprise schemes is therefore lower due to Grampian's non-assisted status.

Enterprise

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what awards have been given under the (a) SMART (b) SPUR and (c) SPURPlus grant schemes, broken down by enterprise company, in each of the last five years.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The information requested is set out in the following three tables:

  (a) Awards given under the SMART:SCOTLAND grant scheme in each of the Local Enterprise Company (LEC) Areas in each of the last five years.

  


LEC Area


Awards made 01/04/97 - 31/03/98


Awards made 01/04/98 - 31/03/99


Awards made 01/04/99 - 31/03/00


Awards made 01/04/00 - 31/03/01


Awards made 01/04/01 - present




No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value




Ayrshire


1


45,000


2


90,000


1


45,000


2


90,000


2


83,150




Borders

 
 
 
 

1


45,000


2


63,763

 
 



Dumfries and Galloway


1


45,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Dunbartonshire

 
 

2


90,000


3


135,000


5


268,550

 
 



Edinburgh and Lothian


6


258,545


7


314,979


10


492,465


7


422,209


15


759,748




Fife


2


90,000


2


80,936


1


40,031


2


90,000


4


270,495




Forth Valley


4


180,000


3


134,662


3


127,439


2


88,863


2


89,934




Glasgow


6


263,917


3


135,000


4


228,793


7


308,104


9


544,309




Grampian


3


135,000


6


269,062


11


488,471


6


330,656


8


356,650




Inverness and Nairn

 
 
 
 

1


45,000

 
 
 
 



Lanarkshire

 
 

7


292,541


2


90,000


1


37,762


4


217,207




Renfrewshire


1


45,000

 
 
 
 

1


45,000


2


90,000




Skye and Lochalsh

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1


45,000




Tayside


2


90,000


1


45,000


4


177,938


2


62,120

 
 



Total


26


1,152,462


33


1,452,180


41


1,915,137


37


1,807,027


47


2,456,493




  (b) Awards given under the SPUR grant scheme in each of the Local Enterprise Company Areas in each of the last five years.

  


LEC Area


Awards made 01/04/97 - 31/03/98


Awards made 01/04/98 - 31/03/99


Awards made 01/04/99 - 31/03/00


Awards made 01/04/00 - 31/03/01


Awards made 01/04/01 - present




No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value




Ayrshire

 
 
 
 

1


117,943


1


77,559


1


124,076




Edinburgh and Lothian


5


557,300


7


540,864

 
 
 
 
 
 



Fife


2


176,547


1


82,541


2


158,367

 
 
 
 



Forth Valley


4


377,292


1


133,391


2


192,182

 
 
 
 



Glasgow


6


541,512


1


87,980


1


88,247

 
 
 
 



Grampian


8


769,575


2


229,482

 
 
 
 

1


145,565




Inverness and Nairn

 
 

1


88,391

 
 
 
 
 
 



Lanarkshire


2


100,676


3


242,054

 
 
 
 
 
 



Renfrewshire

 
 

1


66,744

 
 
 
 

1


150,000




Tayside


2


168,883

 
 
 
 

1


78,465


1


111,185




Total


29


2,691,785


17


1,471,447


6


556,739


2


156,024


4


530,826




  (c) Awards given under the SPURPlus grant scheme in each of the Local Enterprise Company Areas in each of the last five years.

  


LEC Area


Awards made 01/04/97 - 31/03/98


Awards made 01/04/98 - 31/03/99


Awards made 01/04/99 - 31/03/00


Awards made 01/04/00 - 31/03/01


Awards made 01/04/01 - present




No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value


No.


Value




Ayrshire


1


338,300

 
 
 
 

1


450,000

 
 



Edinburgh and Lothian

 
 

1


305,258


1


381,240


4


1,642,352


5


2,149,657




Glasgow

 
 
 
 

1


423,273


1


440,291


2


900,000




Grampian

 
 
 
 

1


423,273

 
 
 
 



Lanarkshire

 
 

1


350,195

 
 

1


450,000


2


900,000




Renfrewshire


1


450,000


1


400,173

 
 
 
 
 
 



Tayside

 
 

1


450,000


2


738,608


1


450,000


2


900,000




Total


2


788,300


4


1,505,626


5


1,966,394


8


3,432,643


11


4,849,657

Enterprise

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the businesses started up through the small business gateway are still trading successfully.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The information requested is not held centrally. Management of the small business gateway is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise.

Enterprise

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how its priorities for growing businesses as set out in A Smart, Successful Scotland: Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks are being applied in rural areas.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The vision statement Rural Scotland: A New Approach , outlined the Executive's commitment to supporting rural economic development by building on existing strengths and promoting opportunities. The Way Forward: The Framework for Economic Development in Scotland recognised the particular opportunities in rural Scotland, while Smart Successful Scotland recognised Highlands and Islands Enterprise's on-going role in promoting the social development of the sparsely populated areas, and required Scottish Enterprise to be "responsive to the integrated nature of rural development". It also included a commitment to rural development and clearly set out mechanisms for priority setting.

  Smart Successful Scotland has three priorities - growing businesses, global connections and learning and skills. These apply equally in rural areas. Particular rural challenges include sparsity of population, access to markets, distance, critical mass e.g. an insufficient concentration of entrepreneurs, limited job opportunities, labour supply, availability of development sites and limited range of services. These needs have been taken into account when growing businesses in rural economies:

  Greater entrepreneurial dynamism and creativity

  Creating openness to a world economy.

  Access to capital for business birth via the Business Growth Fund, and Social Investment Scotland for social economy organisations.

  Improving development for new starts e.g. 555 new businesses aided in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway in 2001-02.

  Providing Business advice and information via Business Mentoring Scotland, the Small Business Gateway, developing Single Entry Points for business development services in the Highlands and Islands, and innovative promotional events such as the Scottish Enterprise Grampian rural roadshows in 2001.

  Greater employment inclusion for disadvantaged groups, young persons, and women.

  More e-business

  Assistance on all aspects of e-business delivered though the Enterprise networks and takes the form of workshops, seminars, one-to-one advice and online help. Businesses are advised about the best way for them to implement appropriate e-business solutions, including online trading.

  Supporting infrastructure development through public sector procurement of broadband in pathfinder areas - Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. This should help telcos make a business case for investment and extending services to businesses in these areas. Trials under the DTI Fund for innovative uses of broadband will test alternative technologies for delivering broadband in rural areas. Projects include a wireless trial in the Western Isles, two powerline carrier trials in Crieff and Campbeltown and a network trial in Ayrshire.

  Broadband Demand Stimulation through the DTI Fund. A network of demonstration centres and a website will demonstrate the benefits of broadband to businesses. The first centre, "Broadband for Business" in Inverness, was launched on 19 March 2002.

  Developing use e.g. though public sector e-procurement (launched in Skye on 25 March 2002), and e-rings for rural cattle sales.

  Increasing commercialisation of research and innovation

  Increased research and development links with universities and businesses through the Science Strategy 2001, the UHI Millennium Institute, the Borders electronics design link to Napier University, the rural entrepreneurship and tourism link to Crichton Campus Dumfries (in conjunction with Paisley/Glasgow universities), and agricultural projects with Scottish Agricultural College.

  Fostering growth industries to develop Centres of Excellence in areas such as renewable energy (Muck Community Windpower unit, Vestas in Campbeltown, HIE Renewable Energy Forum, and the European Marine Energy Test Centre in Orkney), aquaculture (Dunstaffnage as the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology), nuclear decommissioning (Dounreay), and healthcare (Inverness MediCentre).

  Global success in key sectors

  Restructuring of traditional industries such as textiles and shipbuilding, ensuring transfer of skills into other key sectors e.g. through the SE Grampian Peterhead Company Diversification Scheme.

  Business expansion through Regional Selective Assistance.

  Creating exportable excellence through the biotechnology, opto-electronics (Strakan in the Borders), food and drink, tourism, creative industries and forest industries clusters, and the growth industries above.

  Where possible, we propose to develop a rural dis-aggregation of the progress measures of the Enterprise Networks, as published in Measuring Progress towards Smart Successful Scotland. This will allow the networks to become more responsive to the needs of the rural economy, and the success of specific interventions to be accurately measured.

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise will develop the priorities of Smart, Successful Scotland in their forthcoming document A Smart Successful Scotland: The Highlands and Islands Dimension, with the Scottish Enterprise Rural Group leading evolution in the Scottish Enterprise Area.

  These principles, whether rural or urban, will integrate under the overarching Doing it Differently enterprise strategy launched on 12 February 2002, providing a new start for a new era.

Enterprise

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide the £15-20 million pump priming investment referred to in Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley's draft action plan on regenerating and diversifying the economy of the Falkirk area and discussed on 7 March 2002 at the meeting of the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning with members of the Parliament and representatives of management and trade unions at BP, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley and Falkirk Council.

Ms Wendy Alexander: At the meeting on 7 March, I advised that the Executive does not hold a sum of money to fund local action plans direct. I also stated that it is not Executive practice to top slice local authority or Scottish Enterprise budgets in order to fund such plans centrally.

  If Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley consider they require additional resources to enable them to respond to the situation at Grangemouth, they can apply to Scottish Enterprise through existing procedures for a discretionary grant.

  With regard to the local authority, it is entirely for them to determine how its non-housing allocation is distributed amongst its capital programme. This system was developed to offer maximum flexibility to councils in managing their capital programmes.

Environment

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for, and what progress it is making in, protecting and improving the environment including integrating policy on the environment with other policies across devolved areas.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has a wide range of targets to protect and improve Scotland's environment. These include investing in secondary sewage treatment for more than 80% of Scotland's population compared to less than 50% previously, introducing legislation in 2002 to protect and improve the water environment and establishing two National Parks by early 2003.

  The Cabinet Sub Committee on Sustainable Development, chaired by the First Minister, is implementing the Executive's commitment to integrate environmentally and socially sustainable development into all its policies.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 108 fishing vessel owners offered grants to decommission their vessels in December 2001 have completed the decommissioning work and claimed their grant; how many have notified their intention to complete decommissioning before the end of April 2002, and how many have notified their intention to proceed with decommissioning, broken down by category and the total value of the grants offered.

Ross Finnie: As a result of withdrawals from the scheme, and their replacement by vessels from the reserve list, there are now 100 offers of grant to fishing vessel owners. Of these, 82 have notified their intention to proceed with decommissioning. The aggregate level of grant involved for the 82 vessels concerned is £19.9 million.

  As at 15 March, decommissioning had been completed and grant claims submitted in respect of 18 vessels.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the next vessel decommissioning grant offers to fishing vessel owners will be made to use up any money outstanding from the £25 million sum set aside for the decommissioning scheme which may be left as a result of owners who were offered grants in December 2001 subsequently declining the offers.

Ross Finnie: Offers of grant are made to applicants on the reserve list as and when funding is freed up as a result of withdrawals from the scheme by those offered grant. Since initial offers of grant were made in December 2001, grant offers have been made to eight vessel owners on the reserve list.

Food Safety

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to use the Scottish Consumer Council's report Young People and Food Safety as baseline data for future research and action to ensure knowledge of food safety matters.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Scottish Executive welcomes this report, however this falls within the Food Standards Agency's area of responsibility and I am advised by them that they are currently reviewing its conclusions and recommendations. The report is a most welcome addition to the information the agency already holds and will be useful in helping to develop food safety policy as well as informing future research requirements.

Food Safety

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Food Standards Agency intends to review the clarity of food labels and to decide whether there are clear public health benefits for key food safety and hygiene messages to be included in food labels as recommended in the Scottish Consumer Council's report Young People and Food Safety .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Food Standards Agency has advised that label clarity is currently being addressed as part of the agency's Food Labelling Action Plan. Recommendations in the Scottish Consumer Council's report Young People and Food Safety will be carefully considered along with the views of many other stakeholders, including industry, consumer representatives and members of the public, who have been included in the consultation process.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19038 by Susan Deacon on 23 November 2001, when it plans to publish the report on the outcome of the Scottish Cervical Screening liquid-based cytology pilot.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19038 by Susan Deacon on 23 November 2001, when it will make a decision on the new smear-taking method, liquid-based cytology.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have considered the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme's final report on the Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) Pilot, and have accepted the Cervical Screening National Advisory Group's recommendations that LBC should be introduced into the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme. To assist with the initial set up and training costs, I have made available to the National Services Division, CSA up to £2.75 million.

  The Report on the LBC Pilot is available on the SHOW Website at: www.show.scot.nhs.uk in the publications section.

Health

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given, or plans to give, to the recent draft PricewaterhouseCoopers report which suggests reductions of over £4 million in health spending by Grampian NHS board.

Malcolm Chisholm: This is a matter for NHS Grampian. However, I understand that the recommendations in the report are intended to provide non-clinical support services more effectively and to increase spending on direct patient care.

Hedges

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the consultation carried out in 2000, what action it is taking to limit the height of hedges in residential gardens.

Mr Jim Wallace: I announced on 31 January 2001 that the Executive had decided, in principle, that a statutory remedy of last resort was needed in relation to problems caused by high hedges in Scotland. The answer given to question S1W-12936 on 31 January 2001 refers.

  At that time, no commitment could be given as to when legislation might be promoted because of the lack of parliamentary time available. That remains the position.

Housing

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has, in partnership with local authorities, for reducing any backlog of council house repairs and what progress is being made in respect of any such targets.

Iain Gray: The Executive does not have specific targets for the reduction of any backlog in council house repairs. However, Audit Scotland has a performance indicator which measures the number of repairs to council houses, the proportion of these completed within councils' target times, the number of emergency repairs and the number of emergency repairs completed within the target time. Audit Scotland published its latest figures on these targets on 17 January 2002.

  In addition, the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 introduced a single regulatory framework for local authorities and registered social landlords. This means that, in future, Communities Scotland will be assessing local authorities in relation to a number of performance standards, including an efficient and effective responsive repairs service.

Housing

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for the introduction of resource accounting for local authority housing finance and what progress is being made in respect of any such targets.

Iain Gray: There are no plans to set targets for the introduction of resource accounting for local authority housing finance.

Judicial Appointments

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23539 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 March 2002, whether it will now invite persons recommended for appointment to the Judicial Appointments Board to declare membership of Freemasonry and any other secret society.

Mr Jim Wallace: No. I believe that the information already sought from candidates, as referred to in the answer given to question S1W-23539 on 12 March 2002, is as far as we need go at this time.

Justice

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what future support it will give to the Edinburgh Sheriff Court In-court Advice Project, whose current funding comes to an end on 31 March 2002.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive has agreed to continue funding the Edinburgh Sheriff Court In-court Advice Project, including the mediation element of the project, for the next three years at a total cost of £213,000. I know this decision will be warmly welcomed by all those involved with the project and will bring stability and continuity. The project has proved to be an effective means of providing additional support to court users, helping them to understand the issues that brought them to court. It has also contributed to a more efficient use of court time and resources.

  I can also announce that the Phase 2 research report on the In-court Advice Project is published today.

Lifelong Learning

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the money for initiatives on literacy and numeracy has been allocated, to whom the money was allocated and what the outcomes of the expenditure of these allocations has been since 1999.

Ms Wendy Alexander: £18.5 million is being allocated over the three-year period 2001-04 to the local authorities. The following table sets out the allocations for 2001-02 and planned allocations for the two subsequent financial years.

  Each local authority has submitted an action plan, outlining outcomes to be expected in terms of an expansion of learning opportunities for those adults needing help with literacy and numeracy. Some of the details have to be finalised before local outcome agreements can be reached with the local authorities.

  Allocation of resources to local authorities for adult literacy and numeracy (2001-04)

  

 

2001-02


2002-03
(planned)


2003-04
(planned)


Over 3 years




Aberdeen City


78,305


156,611


301,621


536,537




Aberdeenshire


80,237


160,474


309,062


549,773




Angus


44,585


89,171


171,736


305,492




Argyll and Bute


39,482


78,964


152,078


270,524




Clackmannanshire


28,178


56,355


108,536


193,069




Dumfries and Galloway


74,235


148,470


285,943


508,648




Dundee City


95,732


191,465


368,747


655,944




East Ayrshire


95,530


191,059


367,966


654,555




East Dunbartonshire


28,447


56,894


109,574


194,915




East Lothian


29,122


58,244


112,173


199,539




East Renfrewshire


27,356


54,713


105,372


187,441




Edinburgh, City of


255,368


510,735


983,638


1,749,741




Falkirk


61,672


123,344


237,551


422,566




Fife


148,822


297,644


573,240


1,019,705




Glasgow City


546,117


1,092,234


2,103,561


3,741,912




Highland


85,557


171,115


329,555


586,227




Inverclyde


65,822


131,645


253,538


451,005




Midlothian


34,566


69,132


133,142


236,840




Moray


35,239


70,479


135,737


241,455




North Ayrshire


84,625


169,250


325,963


579,838




North Lanarkshire


148,187


296,375


570,796


1,015,358




Perth and Kinross


46,485


92,969


179,052


318,506




Renfrewshire


99,797


199,593


384,402


683,792




Scottish Borders


41,615


83,230


160,294


285,139




South Ayrshire


57,280


114,560


220,635


392,475




South Lanarkshire


133,142


266,284


512,844


912,270




Stirling


40,305


80,610


155,248


276,163




West Dunbartonshire


68,838


137,676


265,154


471,669




West Lothian


51,640


103,280


198,909


353,828




Eilean Siar


27,973


55,947


107,749


191,669




Orkney Islands


20,746


41,492


79,910


142,148




Shetland Islands


24,994


49,989


96,275


171,258




Scotland


2,700,000


5,400,000


10,400,000


18,500,000

Lifelong Learning

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been (a) allocated and (b) spent on literacy and numeracy initiatives since 1999.

Ms Wendy Alexander: £18.5 million is being allocated to local authorities for expenditure on adult literacy and numeracy initiatives over the three-year period 2001-04, including £2.7 million for 2001-02. Local authority expenditure for 2001-02 is not yet available.

  In addition, the Scottish Executive has spent £0.4 million in 2000-01 and £0.5 million in 2001-02 on such initiatives.

Local Government

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for the development and increased implementation of good practice in local government, including working with pilot authorities, and what progress is being made in respect of any such targets.

Peter Peacock: We are keen to help local authorities' efforts to improve services and share good practice. As local authorities pursue continuous improvement under Best Value we expect them to use the information in inspection reports and the Accounts Commission's value for money reports to challenge their current levels of performance and take action to achieve the standards of the best.

  The consultation paper we are publishing today entitled Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Steps also seeks views on the best way of further supporting local government in its efforts to improve services.

Local Government

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in order to support continuous improvement in the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of local government services and what progress is being made in respect of this matter.

Peter Peacock: A Best Value framework was introduced on a voluntary basis by all Scottish local authorities in 1997. The stated aim of this framework was the pursuit of continuous improvement in both corporate management and direct service provision.

  The Scottish Local Government Bill will be introduced to Parliament at the end of April 2002. It will give statutory force to the existing Best Value framework. This framework seeks to provide councils with the maximum flexibility to develop policies and deliver services in the way that best reflects local needs and circumstances, while delivering value for money.

Local Government

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in order to require local authorities to set targets for the improvement of local services and what progress is being made in respect of this matter.

Peter Peacock: Through Best Value, we are encouraging all local authorities to seek continuous improvement in their service delivery. They already have a duty to report performance publicly through the performance indicators. The forthcoming Local Government Bill will include a new statutory backing for Best Value in Scotland and provide the Accounts Commission for Scotland with additional powers to set performance indicators.

Local Government

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in (a) providing support to local authorities seeking to implement electronic government and (b) supporting partnership development between central and local government and other agencies.

Peter Peacock: Significant progress has been made both in providing support to local authorities seeking to implement electronic government and developing partnership working.

  For example, the Executive in partnership with COSLA and local authorities, has established the Central Local 21st Century Government Forum which has a remit to support electronic service delivery across local authorities. Through the forum all councils are now working to produce documented 21st Century Government Action Plans which set each council priorities for electronic service delivery.

  The Executive has also established the Modernising Government Fund which aims to support local authorities and other public sector providers in developing new models of service delivery. The fund has already distributed £26 million in support of this development and more than £17 million was distributed to local authorities. Further bids for a second round of the fund are currently under consideration.

  The Executive has also been working with the wider Scottish public sector, including health and local government, to develop an e-procurement service which will be available to all Scottish public bodies, including all Scottish local authorities. One of the major benefits of adopting a common approach to e-procurement across the public sector is that the system will help facilitate partnership working (such as the use of common contracts) in a procurement context. Early adopters of the system are already working together in encouraging suppliers to join the system.

  The Executive is also demonstrating its commitment to effective partnership working through providing a statutory basis for community planning in the forthcoming Local Government Bill. The independent Community Planning Taskforce, which comprises a wide range of interests, is also working on the key issues surrounding effective partnership working.

Local Government

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for the provision of local electoral registers that are joined up, maintained and managed locally, and accessible on a national level to authorised users.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive has no function in relation to the provision of local electoral registers.

Local Government

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its proposals for taking forward the principles of the Kerley Report on renewing local democracy.

Mr Andy Kerr: We indicated in December last year that we would bring forward proposals for taking forward the principles of Kerley before the Easter Recess. We have today published Renewing Local Democracy: the Next Steps which fulfils that commitment. The document includes consideration of issues such as future governance, councillors' remuneration and options for electoral reform. I am placing copies of the document in the Parliament's Reference centre (Bib. number 20270).

  There will now be a four-month consultation period on the options set out in the document and we would welcome comments from all those with an interest in the future of local government. Shortly after Parliament reconvenes in September 2002 the Executive will set out the next steps in relation to legislation and the future governance of councils.

Lord Lyon

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office has any policy with regard to pursuing claims against schools whose badges potentially breach heraldic law and the Lyon Court's rulings.

Colin Boyd QC: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has no involvement in the enforcement of heraldic law. Offences in connection with that body of law are prosecuted before the Court of the Lord Lyon by the Procurator Fiscal to that Court who is not (despite his title) part of the Procurator Fiscal Service. It is understood that the Lord Lyon has written to the member about the particular position of schools.

MMR Vaccine

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23111 by Malcolm Chisholm on 7 March 2002, whether there are any plans to ensure that the single measles vaccine is assessed by the UK Licensing Authority against the criteria of safety, quality and efficiency.

Malcolm Chisholm: A full and formal assessment of product safety, quality and efficacy occurs in response to an application, by a pharmaceutical company, to the UK licensing authority for a marketing authorisation (product license).

  Marketing authorisations (product licenses) have been granted for single measles vaccine and these licenses are extant.

  The Medicines Control Agency is given more basic information about plans to import unlicensed medicinal products, such as unlicensed single measles vaccine. That notification is the subject of professional negative vetting for any evidence of quality or safety issues and whether there are any licensed equivalent products available on the market in the UK. The agency may object to importation if negative vetting raises any concerns.

Natural Heritage

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress there has been in (a) designating Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Habitats Directive and (b) classifying Special Protective Areas under the EC Birds Directive.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is now very close to completing its submission of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) in advance of further formal consideration by the European Commission scheduled for June 2002. Ninety-eight per cent of the total of 227 SACs on which consultation has already taken place have been proposed to the Commission as candidate sites.

  This is a major contribution to the EU Natura 2000 network. I shall be considering, with Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH) advice, four remaining sites and one extension to an existing SAC, all of which have already been announced as candidate sites. These are:

  River Dee

  River Tay

  Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary

  Airds Moss

  Sunart extension

  Some of the river sites do not currently include all qualifying tributaries but will be extended in future.

  I have also agreed that five new sites (four raised bog and one blanket bog) should be considered for designation. Coverage of these habitats was not considered adequate by the European Commission in its first consideration of the UK's list. The sites are:

  Red Moss of Netherly

  Raeburn Flow

  Peeswit Moss

  Ofference Moss, which is an extension to Flanders Moss

  West Fannyside Moss blanket bog

  The sole remaining site on the published list of SACs is the Sound of Barra. After careful consideration, and following scientific advice from SNH, I have decided to delay a decision on this site until further data are available on the effect of construction of the Eriskay causeway on the numbers and location of seal populations.

  Good progress has also been made on Special Protection Areas. One hundred and thirty-five out of 141 SPA sites in Scotland have now been classified. To complete the series, I have asked SNH to begin formal consultation on proposed golden eagle sites on Skye and Mull already announced. Consultations are in progress or complete on three other sites and one extension and decisions will be made on these sites once all necessary information is available. The remaining sites from the previously published list, and on which I expect to take decisions this year are:

  Arran Moors

  Cnuic Agus Cladach Mhuile (the Mull eagle site)

  Cuillins (the Skye eagle site)

  Glen App - Galloway Moors

  Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands

  Forth Islands (extension)

  I expect also to consider a small number of further sites for the capercaillie, for which a significant population decline is causing concern.

  The remaining site on the public list of proposed SPAs is Ladder Hills. SNH have advised that currently available data are insufficient to justify classification at present and further survey work will be required. I propose therefore to delay consideration of this site until the necessary information is available.

  This contribution to the Natura network represents a notable effort on the part of SNH to present the scientific data and to ensure that as full consultation as possible has taken place with local interests.

  SNH will now be closely involved in management of the sites and I expect their Natural Care programme to be of particular benefit to owners and occupiers in assisting them to bring their land into positive management. The Executive increased SNH's budget in the last Spending Review (by £22 million in total over the three years) partly to enable management schemes to be more widely offered.

  Looking further ahead, for the terrestrial sites I expect the focus to be on appropriate management. I cannot, however, rule out additional SPAs or SACs, where suitable sites are identified which properly reflect Scotland's contribution to the Natura network. At UK level a framework has been put in place for review of the SPA series, and we shall continue to contribute to this consideration. In addition, we shall be required, along with the rest of the UK to contribute to the selection of SPAs and SACs in the marine environment. This process is on-going at present, led by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Planning

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has in respect of the percentage of new dwellings built on previously developed land and what progress is being made in respect of any such targets.

Iain Gray: National planning policies encourage the re-use of previously developed or underused land. Such sites can make an important contribution to the supply of land for housing. However, the amount of previously developed land varies greatly across Scotland. The Executive has therefore not set targets for the use of such land, as what might constitute a meaningful and challenging target in one planning authority area may be wholly unreasonable or unachievable in another.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any inconsistencies in the operation of planning guidelines by local authorities, in particular with regard to decisions on housing developments in rural villages.

Iain Gray: When taking a planning decision, it is up to the planning authority to interpret National Planning Policy Guidelines (NPPGs) in the light of local circumstances. The planning authority must assess the weight to be afforded to NPPGs, development plan policies and other relevant considerations when reaching such a decision.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to give any new guidance to local authorities on planning issues arising from housing developments in rural villages.

Iain Gray: National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 3 : Planning and Housing is currently under review. A copy of the consultation draft of NPPG 3, which was published on 4 March, is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19850).

  Responses to the consultation will be carefully considered before the final version of the NPPG is published.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recent comments by East Lothian Council's Planning Committee that the guidelines in Designing Places: A Policy Statement for Scotland were not prescriptive enough to be a material consideration in planning issues.

Iain Gray: I am not aware that East Lothian Council Planning Committee have made any comments on Designing Places: A Policy Statement for Scotland . I understand, however, that a report by planning officials to the Planning Committee made reference to the status of this document in respect of a specific housing development.

  It is clearly stated in Designing Places (in the Foreword and on page 41) that the document is a material consideration in planning applications and appeals. Importantly, the statement sets out general design principles which would be applicable to a range of development types including housing.

  In addition, National Planning Policy Guideline 1: The Planning System (revised 2000) makes it clear that design is a material consideration in determining planning applications. Design grounds may be used as the sole reason for refusal of an application.

  It is for the decision-maker to decide what weight is given to each material consideration.

Planning

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive with regard to Planning Advice Notice No. 36, what its definition is of "countryside" and what size a community must be in order to meet the definition of "rural village".

Iain Gray: There are no definitions provided in Planning Advice Note 36: Siting and Design of New Housing in the Countryside of "countryside" or what size a community must be to be considered a "rural village". This allows our advice to be interpreted to suit local circumstances.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out an investigation into any recent incidents of prisoner violence at HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  All incidents relating to assaults are reported to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Controller in Kilmarnock. They are also reported to SPS HQ in the same way as for any SPS establishment. Matters relating to serious assaults in any prison are routinely reported to the police.

Prison Service

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which parts of the contract for HM Prison Kilmarnock were omitted in the version of the contract published by the Scottish Prison Service.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Most of the contract has been published. Certain security information and lengthy lists of, for example, fixtures and fittings were omitted together with some commercial in confidence items.

Public Appointments

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a copy of the letter it issued to each Parliament committee convener and each party leader asking for nominations for the posts of Independent Assessors will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Mr Andy Kerr: A copy of the letter sent to all those organisations consulted was included in the answer given to question S1W-22756 on 19 February 2002. Letters inviting nominations from the political parties represented in the Parliament were not addressed to party leaders but to party headquarters.

Regional Selective Assistance

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the proposed changes to Regional Selective Assistance, what steps will be taken to ensure that there is no increased risk to the Grampian area as a result of incentives for inward investors to choose other locations and assistance to businesses to relocate and to locate projects in assisted areas.

Ms Wendy Alexander: There is no increased risk, as there is never any question of Regional Selective Assistance being used simply to relocate a business.

Regulation

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in respect of removing any unnecessary regulation and ensuring that any future regulations are necessary and proportionate with need.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Executive works to ensure that all regulations are necessary and proportionate, in particular for regulations which impact upon business, charities and the voluntary sector. The use of the Regulatory Impact Assessment and the Review Regulatory Impact Assessment should guarantee that regulations are proportionate, necessary and fit for purpose when they are introduced and remain so over time. To date, comments made to the Scottish Executive regarding regulations affecting business, charities and the voluntary sector seldom refer to any individual regulation for which the Executive has responsibility.

Regulation

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements there are for reporting its regulatory activities.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Regulations which impact upon business, charities or the voluntary sector will be accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and when finalised the RIA should be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre, copied to the lead committee, subordinate legislative committee, Parliament legal advisors and the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit as appropriate.

Road Safety

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in partnership with East Lothian Council to consider and act on any issues relating to the promotion of road safety arising from the development of rural villages for commuter housing.

Lewis Macdonald: Outwith the trunk road network, local roads authorities are responsible for all aspects of road safety and traffic management on local roads in their areas. In the first instance, it is for East Lothian Council to consider the need for particular measures to safeguard road users and residents, and to determine the priority that should be given to particular schemes, both in reviewing their development plans and in considering individual development proposals.

Rural Stewardship Scheme

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23014 by Ross Finnie on 11 March 2002, how the five year funding programme under the Rural Stewardship Scheme will operate.

Ross Finnie: Details of the estimated amounts available for new agri-environment scheme commitments, including for the Rural Stewardship Scheme are available on Table 8.3 of the Scottish Rural Development Plan , which can be found on the Scottish Executive website.

  Details of the estimated amounts available for new agri-environment scheme commitments, including for the Rural Stewardship Scheme are provided in the answers given to questions S1W-23014 on 11 March 2005, and S1W-24113 today.

Rural Stewardship Scheme

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the agri-environment budget in 2001-02 was allocated specifically for the Rural Stewardship Scheme.

Ross Finnie: Expenditure in 2001-02 as a consequence of Rural Stewardship Scheme approvals issued in 2001 is currently estimated to account for 6% of the funding available for agri-environment schemes.

  The first management payments for approvals issued in 2001 will be made in 2002-03.

Rural Stewardship Scheme

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17138 by Ross Finnie on 17 August 2001, why a sum was given for the total agri-management budget in 2001-02 rather than the budget provision for the Rural Stewardship Scheme as requested.

Ross Finnie: The overall budget for agri-environment schemes is not allocated in advance to the individual schemes, which are demand-led.

Rural Stewardship Scheme

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23014 by Ross Finnie on 11 March 2002, whether it will set out the anticipated spend by each Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department area office in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05 and (d) 2005-06.

Ross Finnie: Details of the current anticipated spend for the Rural Stewardship Scheme by each Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department local Area Office in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05 and (d) 2005-06 are given in the table:

  


Area Office


2002-03


2003-04


2004-05


2005-06




Ayr


175,967


141,361


128,622


128,187




Benbecula


570


570


570


570




Dumfries


41,765


25,929


26,033


25,630




Dundee


125,892


47,284


47,284


47,284




Galashiels


822,723


491,073


473,112


475,531




Grampian


752,765


471,689


485,516


475,536




Hamilton


51,911


37,286


36,606


36,611




Inverness


522,160


361,700


360,433


358,299




Kirkwall


227,224


167,911


164,178


156,848




Lairg


6153


6153


6153


6153




Lerwick


619


1864


979


979




Oban


228,427


134,293


141,494


134,859




Perth


251,415


139,969


121,309


119,419




Portree


33,426


11,796


11,796


11,796




Stirling


150,018


111,655


97,737


90,481




Stornoway


28,108


23,430


23,430


23,430




Thurso


197,999


155,627


155,508


158,925




Total


3,617,142


2,329,590


2,280,760


2,250,538

Scottish Executive Expenditure

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has for the payment by it of undisputed invoices following receipt of goods and services or presentation of a valid invoice and what progress is being made in respect of any such targets.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Executive's policy is that all undisputed invoices should be paid promptly (i.e. within 30 days, unless a different payment period has been agreed). In 2000-01, the last full financial year for which figures are available, the Executive paid around 98% of all undisputed invoices promptly.

Scottish Executive Staff

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff have been seconded to UKRep; which departments have any such staff been seconded from, and how long any such secondment has lasted.

Mr Andy Kerr: Mobility between Government Departments is defined as a loan rather than a secondment. The number of Scottish Executive staff who have been on loan to UKRep since 1987 is 13. The duration of each loan and the Scottish Executive Departments such staff have been on loan from are as follows:

  Total Number of Scottish Executive staff on loan to UKRep: 13

  Scottish Executive Departments

  


Development Department


4




Environment and Rural Affairs Department


6




Justice Department


2




Corporate Services


1




  Duration of Loans

  


0-1 year


1-2 years


2-3 years


3+ years




1


1


2


9

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans the Scottish Qualifications Authority has for the second year of the Winter Diet pilot.

Nicol Stephen: I have written to the Chair of the SQA to indicate our decision to discontinue the second year of the Winter Diet pilot. Following a review by the SQA in conjunction with those schools and colleges that participated in the first year of the pilot in 2002, it is clear from the number of entries for this year and the projected entries for the second year of the pilot that continuing to run a winter exam round for such a small number of entrants is not a sensible or cost effective option at this time.

  The SQA has been asked to work closely with centres to ensure that any disruption to candidates is kept to a minimum. The SQA is committed to the principle of flexibility in external assessment and has been asked to explore - in consultation with stakeholders - options for more flexible approaches in the future.

Skye Bridge

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any study into the feasibility of the Skye Bridge with the title or Scottish Office number "RD11" exists and whether it will place a copy of any such study in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Lewis Macdonald: The report A Bridge To Skye Feasibility Study was prepared by JMP Consultants Ltd for Highland Regional Council in 1986. It was subsequently lodged as production SORD11 at the public local enquiry into the Skye Bridge project in 1992. A copy has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 20055).

Tourism

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any representatives from the tourism industry sit on the Nicholson Committee and, if not, whether any such representatives can be appointed to the committee and whether the committee can be expected to have full and proper regard to the interests of tourists and the tourist industry as a whole.

Mr Jim Wallace: There is no representative of the tourism industry as such on the Nicholson Committee, as it is not possible to include every field of interest if the committee is to function effectively. However, that does not preclude the committee having full and proper regard to tourism interests. The Nicholson Committee has consulted widely and I understand that VisitScotland is included among the respondents who have been invited to give oral evidence to the committee.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Parliamentary Accommodation

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Presiding Officer whether MSPs will have access to, and be able to use, computer facilities at their desks in the debating chamber at Holyrood.

Sir David Steel: The SPCB agreed at its meeting on 19 June 2001 that IT cabling should be installed to the MSP desks in the debating chamber during fabrication, along with the voting and microphone cabling, to allow for any future connecting of IT equipment. There will be no computer facilities at the desk, although future parliaments will thus be enabled to decide otherwise. Audio and Voting consoles will be provided on MSP desks in the debating chamber from the outset.